Counter divider and counter top combination



Oct. 7, 1958 I J. c. MONCIER Oct. 7, 1958 J. c. MONCIER COUNTER DIVIDER AND COUNTER TOP COMBINATION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. '7. 1956 INVENTOR Jo, mes C'Mnaier ATTORNEYS United States Patent M COUNTER DIVIDER AND COUNTER TOP COMBINATION James C. Moncier, Knoxville, Tenn.

Application February 7, 1956, Serial No. 563,891

3 Claims. (Cl. 312-140.3)

' The present invention relates to dividers for partitioning a counter into a number of bins or compartments of varying sizes and arrangements.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a combined counter top and divider construction having interrelated elements integrally formed therewith eliminating the need for divider support elements on the top.

Another object of the invention is to provide fastening elements on the dividers which support and detachably secure the dividers to the counter top.

A further object of the invention is to provide a divider construction for counter tops which is inexpensive to manufacture, simple to use, and adaptable to be formed from materials other than glass, reducing the danger of injury from broken dividers.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specification when considered in the light of the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1- is a perspective view of a counter top incorporating the invention with the side rails removed.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detailed fragmentary vertical cross-section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 illustrating a modified lower edge structure on the divider.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 illustrating a modified mounting pin and bore construction.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a modified supporting structure for a divider incorporating a plurality of rows of support pins.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevation shown partially in section of a clip constructed according to the invention for supporting a conventional divider.

Figure 9 is a vertical cross-section taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figures 4 and 6 illustrating a modified form of mounting pin.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several figures, the reference numeral indicates generally a counter top of the type upon which merchandise is openly displayed for the inspection of the customer. The counter top 20 is formed of fiber, plastic, wood, or any other suitable material and is provided with a plurality of evenly spaced apertures 21 formed into longitudinal and transverse rows. The apertures 21 in the top 20 are provided with a bore 22 which flares outwardly at 23 toward the upper surface of the counter top 20 and flares outwardly at 24 toward the lower surface of the counter top 20 as best illustrated in Figures 2 and 4.

A plurality of divider panels 25 are formed of plastic,

2,855,258 Patented Oct. 7, 1958 or any other suitable material, and have a plurality of retainer pins 26 projecting from the bottom edge thereof in evenly spaced relation so as to align with the apertures 21 in any transverse or longitudinal row of apertures in the counter top 20.

The retainer pin 26 is provided with a bulbous lower end portion 27 having a diameter slightly larger than the bore22 of the aperture 21 so that as the retainer pin 26 is forced through the aperture 21, the bore 22 will tend to snap over the bulbous portion 27 locking the retainer pin 26 in the aperture 21 against accidental dislodgment.

The dividers 25 are formed in continuous lengths and cut to the desired bin forming length as they are used. In forming bins with the dividers 25 the retainer pins 26 are forced through the apertures 21 of any desired row of apertures clamping the divider 25 in erected position on the counter top 20. No auxiliary clips or supports are necessary for connecting the intersecting dividers and none are used.

A modified divider 25a is illustrated in Figure 5 wherein the opposite lower edges adjacent the bottom edge 28 of the divider 25a are outwardly flared as at 29 to increase the counter 20 engaging surface of the divider 25a thus increasing its stability therewith. A plurality of retainer pins 26 having bulbous end portions 27 are integrally formed with the divider 25a in the same manner as disclosed for the retainer pins 26 on the dividers 25.

In Figure 6 another modification is illustrated wherein the' divider 25b is provided with a cylindrical retaining pin 26b for cooperation with a cylindrical aperture 21b in a counter top 20b. This construction, while not having the same strength and retaining powers of the retaining pins 26, is provided for situations requiring the greatest economy.

A further modified divider construction is illustrated in Figure 7 wherein a divider 25c is provided with widely flared lower edges 290. The flared lower edges 29c are of sufiicient width to extend over adjacent rows of apertures 21 in a counter top 20, and a plurality of retainer pins 260 are provided in parallel rows adjacent the flared edges 290 of the divider 250. This construction provides an extremely stable base for the divider 25c in situations requiring great strength.

.In Figures 8 and 9 are illustrated a channel-shaped clip 30 having an upwardly opening channel 31 formed therein. The lower edges of the clip 30 are outwardly flared as at 32 and 33 and carry spaced apart rows of retainer pins 26. A divider 34 formed of glass or other suitable material is adapted to be seated within the channel 31 and supported thereby. The clip 30 may be formed in relative short lengths or may be continuous under each section of divider 34. p

In Figure 10 a counter divider 25c is adapted to cooperate with a counter top 200 which is provided with a plurality of apertures 210. The apertures 21c are outwardly flared at 23c at the upper end and 24c at the lower end. A plurality of retainer pins 26c are secured to the bottom of the divider 25c and are adapted to be seated within the apertures 210. The retainer pins 26c are provided with a bulbous lower end portion 27c and an outwardly flared shoulder 35. The shoulder 35 is formed adjacent the base of the retainer pin 26c at its juncture with the divider 25c and is adapted to fill the flared portion 230 of the aperture 21c. The construction illustrated in Figure 10 provides a substantially firmer connection between the counter 20c and the divider 25c reducing to a minimum movement therebetween.

It should be understood that the height of the counter dividers, the thickness of the counter top, the spacing of the retainer pins and their size are each variable to suit the particular conditions of the counter. Under some conditions the divider panels are made extremely tall to 3 provide deep merchandize bins and the counter top is made with an extra thickness to give increased strength and retainer pin supporting characteristics.

Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and structural adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A counter construction comprising a generally horizontal counter top panel having a plurality of generally vertical apertures extending therethrough in longitudinal and transverse equispaced rows, said apertures tapering inwardly from, the opposite upper and lower faces of said top panel forming areduced. central bore portion, a plurality of dividers positioned on said counter top, a plurality of retainer pins integrally formed on, and depending from the lower edge of each of said dividers, a bulbous head on the lower end. of each of said retainer pins, said retainer pins being seated in said apertures 4 with said bulbous head engaged through said reduced bore portion whereby said retainer pins are secured in said apertures. 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lower side edges of said dividers are outwardly flared providing an increased supporting base cross section.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said retainer pins are formed in a pair of spaced rows with each row being adjacent said outwardly flared edges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,733,487 Hackley Oct. 29, 1929 1,971,545 Tompkins Aug. 28, 1934 2,148,892 Bales Feb. 28, 1939 2,207,515 Hueglin July 9, 1940 2,582,553 McMurtrie Jan. 15, 1952 2,724,627 Moncier Nov.v 22, 1955 

